The Ontario government has begun construction of a $56.3 million emergency services aircraft facility at Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, bringing air ambulance and provincial police aviation operations together to strengthen emergency response capabilities across the province.
Announced on November 12, 2026, the nearly 100,000-square-foot hangar will accommodate 10 aircraft operated by Ornge and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The project is expected to create approximately 200 construction jobs in Simcoe County, with completion scheduled for winter 2027.
The investment is intended to improve emergency response coordination, particularly for residents in Northern Ontario, rural communities and remote regions where access to specialized medical services can be challenging.
New Ornge-OPP Hangar to Strengthen Emergency Response
The facility will house two new Ornge fixed-wing Special Mission Aircraft, four OPP helicopters and four OPP fixed-wing aircraft.
By consolidating aviation operations at Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, the province aims to improve aircraft deployment, streamline logistics and strengthen coordination between emergency medical and law enforcement personnel.
The new infrastructure will support responses to medical emergencies, including heart attacks, strokes and serious motor vehicle collisions, alongside policing and search-and-rescue operations.
“As part of our plan to protect Ontario, our government is ensuring Ornge has the resources it needs to deliver fast, life-saving care to patients facing medical emergencies,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “The state-of-the-art Ornge-OPP hangar will provide a strategically located hub for Ornge’s new high-speed, long-distance Special Mission Aircraft, and ensure timely emergency care is available across Ontario for generations to come.”
Provincial Investment to Support 200 Construction Jobs
Beyond its public safety objectives, the project represents a significant infrastructure investment in Simcoe County.
Construction is expected to support approximately 200 jobs, providing employment opportunities for regional construction workers and contributing to economic activity surrounding Lake Simcoe Regional Airport.
The facility will also expand the airport’s role as a provincial emergency aviation hub, supporting long-term infrastructure development and essential public services.
“The Ornge–OPP groundbreaking announcement marks a significant milestone for our entire region and an important step toward saving lives and protecting Ontario. Our government’s $56.3 million investment will bring life-saving air ambulance and police aviation services together under one roof, helping emergency crews respond faster, reach people in critical need, and deliver emergency care when every second counts. The project will also create approximately 200 good-paying construction jobs in the region, supporting local workers while strengthening the emergency services that protect Barrie-Innisfil and communities across Ontario.”
— Hon. Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie—Innisfil
Ontario Expanding Air Ambulance Fleet and Aviation Infrastructure
The new hangar forms part of Ontario’s broader efforts to modernize emergency aviation services and improve access to critical medical care.
Ornge currently conducts approximately 22,000 patient transports annually through its air ambulance and critical care land ambulance operations. Its network includes nine air bases and five critical care land bases.
Northern Ontario accounts for approximately 98 per cent of Ornge’s fixed-wing patient transports, highlighting the importance of aircraft in connecting remote communities with specialized health-care facilities.
The province previously announced a $118 million investment in 2023 to expand Ornge’s fixed-wing fleet to 12 aircraft, replace eight existing aircraft and acquire an expanded hangar in Sudbury.
With additional aircraft planned, Ornge’s fixed-wing fleet is expected to reach 14 aircraft by 2030. The first new aircraft is anticipated to arrive before the end of 2026.
OPP Aviation Operations to Benefit From Shared Infrastructure
OPP Aviation Services supports frontline policing, missing-person investigations, search-and-rescue missions, surveillance, tactical deployments and emergency transportation.
Its aircraft collectively operate approximately 4,000 flight hours annually across Ontario.
“OPP Aviation Services plays a critical role in supporting frontline policing and emergency response operations across Ontario. This shared facility will enhance our ability to deploy aviation resources efficiently, strengthen collaboration with our emergency service partners at Ornge, and support the safe and effective delivery of services to the communities we serve.”
— Thomas Carrique, OPP Commissioner
Long-Term Investment in Ontario’s Emergency Services
The shared hangar aligns with Ontario’s Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, which emphasizes improving access to essential health services.
Provincial officials expect the facility to strengthen coordination, support more efficient aircraft operations and improve emergency service readiness.
Once completed, the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport facility will provide a permanent aviation base for both organizations, combining public safety infrastructure investment with regional employment opportunities and expanded emergency response capacity across Ontario.
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